Kids should have limited Internet access

Editor, The One Laptop per child program, that availed many primary school kids with laptops, is a well thought out programme; however I see a potential banana skin. While it is important that all Rwandan kids should have computers and be able to access wireless Internet but who will control what websites they access?

Monday, June 15, 2009

Editor,

The One Laptop per child program, that availed many primary school kids with laptops, is a well thought out programme; however I see a potential banana skin. While it is important that all Rwandan kids should have computers and be able to access wireless Internet but who will control what websites they access?

It has become a routine that after school many kids with laptops lookout for Internet hot-spots where they can access a wireless Internet network. Some of the places are the Kigali International Airport and places near the MTN headquarters.

I appreciate the fact that the internet is a source of knowledge, which every single child should have access to, but the Internet can be toxic if wrongly utilised.

We have all heard of teenage pregnancies, early sex and other sexual related misbehaviours among children and teenagers in Western countries. This, I believe, is basically a result of kids being exposed to Internet pornography.

I suggest that parents get a way of limiting the websites that their children surf on the Net. The teachers should also watch out on what the children use the internet for and punish them in case of these children use their computers wrongly.

Annabel Tumusiime
Kanombe